The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) exists to serve the needs, interests and welfare of all kidney patients and their families. Its purpose is to help patients and their families cope with the emotional, physical and social impact of kidney failure, thereby enabling them to resume productive and satisfying lives. Founded in 1969, AAKP is the only national kidney patient organization directed by kidney patients for kidney patients and reaches over 1 million patients per year with needed information about kidney disease.

AAKP remains dedicated to providing patients with the education and knowledge necessary to ensure quality of life and quality of health. We have established a national organization to preserve the visibility and influence of patients with Congress and to develop national, educational and supportive programs. We have four cornerstones on which everything we do is based: education, research, advocacy, and engagement. EDUCATION: AAKP’s National Patient Meeting is the largest kidney patient education and advocacy meeting in the United States. This annual meeting takes place over three days and provides patients and their care partners the opportunity to gain information and advocacy skills they need to understand their condition and make informed choices regarding their care; to be even more effective in using their voices and experiences to improve access and quality of care for kidney patients; and to influence public policy decisions. Professionals attending the meeting are able to receive continuing education (CE) credits. We hold monthly HealthLine webinars on various topics of interest to kidney patients including diet and nutrition information, information about specific kidney diseases, innovations in kidney disease research, and personal experiences from kidney patients and their care partners. These webinars are recorded and housed on our website for continued access. Our bimonthly magazine, aakpRENALIFE which includes patient and care partner stories, educational articles, and nutrition and exercise tips, is mailed to subscribers as well as every dialysis unit in the country. We have print materials on nutrition, dialysis, transplant, and many other topics. All are available for download on our website as well as for purchase. Our four e-newsletters each reach a targeted population: Kidney Beginnings provides educational information and resources for individuals who may be at risk for kidney disease or have recently been diagnosed with reduced kidney function; AAKP Renal Flash provides detailed information for individuals on dialysis or approaching end-stage renal disease; At Home with AAKP provides information for people interested in home dialysis therapies; AAKP Pediatric Kidney Pals provides information and resources for families of pediatric and adolescent kidney patients; and Kidney Transplant Today provides information for individuals who have received a kidney transplant or are considering transplantation as their treatment option. RESEARCH: AAKP works alongside industry partners to make sure the patient voice is heard and incorporated into treatment, medicine, and device development. Our patients sit on advisory committees for drug and device manufacturers and advocate on Capitol Hill for increased kidney disease research funding. ENGAGEMENT: AAKP works closely with market research companies to incorporate the patient voice in drug, device and treatment development. AAKP helps in recruiting patients to participate in focus groups, complete surveys, serve on technical expert panels (TEPs), and become involved in other engagement activities. ADVOCACY: AAKP’s Board leadership and Patient Ambassadors are active on Capitol Hill, visiting with elected officials several times a year to advocate for legislation to help kidney patients and to put a face on the disease. We partner with government agencies to ensure patient care is at the center of their decision-making, with many of our Board members and Ambassadors serving on advisory committees and as subject matter experts (SMEs) to drive Congress towards improvements in kidney care and treatment.